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Artist You Should Know: Capital Cities

By Denny Directo 5:38 PM PDT, June 4, 2013

Every summer my roommate and I set out on the quest for the 'Song of Summer' -- that track that is ubiquitous in nature and makes you feel so good you find yourself ceremoniously dancing, drink of choice in hand. Well folks, this year we have a contender in Safe and Sound by indie pop duo, Capital Cities.

The LA-based act, made up of Ryan Merchant and Sebu Simonian, took both the blogosphere and California shores by storm with their self-titled debut EP in 2011.

Since then the band has signed with Capital Records, embarked on their first-ever North American outing, the "Dancing With Strangers" tour, and has enjoyed heavy play on mainstream radio with Safe and Sound. The track channels the colorful music of the '80s and electro pop artists such as Depeche Mode and Pink Floyd, who they site as musical influences.

Today they are celebrating the release of their debut full album, In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery. And as I found out, the album is all part of Ryan and Sebu's plan to get the people of the world up on their feet and dancing ... this ambitious reporter among them.

See if my dancing skills live up to the test as the two try to teach me the "Capital Cities Shuffle." And be sure to pick up their new album here. No doubt I'll be jamming out to it all summer.